Irrigating-ditch controller.



A. BEAL. IRRIGATING DITGH CONTROLLER.

APPLICATION FILED OCT. 15, 1910.

Patented Jan. 9, 1912.

I AsMrBea/Z MBIA PLANOORAPH C0.,WASHINO'I'DN, II. c.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ASHER BEAL, OF MONTROSE, COLORADO, ASSIGN'OR OF ONE-HALF TO A. R. MURDOCK,

F DENVER, COLORADO.

IRRIGATING-DITCH CONTROLLER.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Jan. 9,1912.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, ASHER BEAL, a citizen of the United States, residing at Montrose, in the county of Montrose and State of Colorado, have invented new and useful Improvements in Irrigating-Ditch Controllers, of which the following is a specification.

In arid sections requiring artificial irrigation the flow of water through the ditches is generally regulated by dams, which are usually formed of mud thrown across the ditches to the proper height. This method of regulating the supply of water is expensive and troublesome and is not wholly dependable because of the liability of the dams being washed away.

The present invention provides a device which may be used in the capacity of a dam for obstructing a ditch and which at the same time may be adjusted to admit of the water rising to a given level in the ditch and any excess passing by the dam to be used at a point farther on in the length of the ditch.

The device, which for convenience is designated an irrigating ditch controller, comprises a stake and a plate pivotally connected to the stake and having an opening formed therein at one side of the pivot so that the plate may be turned upon its pivot connection with the stake to bring the opening to any required point within the range of adjustment so as to regulate the level of the water in the ditch.

The invention consists of the novel features, details of construction and combination of parts, which hereinafter will be more particularly set forth, illustrated in the accompanying drawing, and pointed out in the appended claims.

Referring to the drawing, forming a part of the application, Figure 1 is a view in elevation of an irrigating ditch controller embodying the invention. Fig. 2 is an edge view thereof. Fig. 3 is a detail View of the pointed end of the stake, showing the metal point fitted thereto.

Corresponding and like parts are referred to in the following description, and indicated in all the views of the drawing, by the same reference characters.

The implement comprises a stake 1 and a plate 2, the latter being secured to the stake by the pivot fastening 3. The stake 1 is usually of wood and has a longitudinal slot 4 in its lower portion in which is fitted the plate 2. The lower end of the stake is pointed and is reinforced by means of a metal point 5, which is slipped thereon and secured by means of a pin. or like fastening 6 passing thrqugh registering openings formed in the par s. I

The plate 2 is'generally ofcircular form and consists of a disk of sheet .iron or steel having its edge sharpened so as to readily penetrate the sides and, bottom of the ditch. It is to be understood that the'plate is provided in various sizes according to the varying sizes. of ditches, so that a given size of implement may be used for a certa-i-n size of ditch. An opening 7 is formed in the plate 2 to one side of the center thereof and upon turning the plate to bring the portion with the opening 7 therein uppermost the ditch may be completely dammed, but when it is required to permit a certain amount of water to pass by the dam the plate 2 may be turned to bring the opening 7 to the required point, whereby the required amount of water to escape may be permitted to pass by the dam, as will be readily understood. The shape and size of the opening 7 is immaterial, but as shown the opening- 7 is approximately of semicircular formto conform approximately to the shape ofthe ditch in transverse section.

When the flow of water is to be completely checked the implement is placed in the ditch at the required point and pressed downward to cause the pointed end of the stem 1 to enter the bottom of the ditch and the sides and bottom of the plate to enter the sides and bottom of the ditch and thereby effectually stop the flow of water provided the plate 2 is turned so that the part having the opening 7 is uppermost. In the event of it being required to permit some of the water in the ditch to pass by the dam the plate 2 is turned to bring the opening 7 to the required point to effect the result desired.

From the foregoing description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawing, the advantages of the construction and of the method of operation will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art to which the invention appertains, and while I have described the principle of operation of the invention, together with the device which I now consider to be the embodiment thereof, I desire to have it understood that the device shown is merely illustrative, and that such changes may be made when de- 5 sired as are'within the scope of the claims appended hereto.

Having thus described the invention what is claimed as new, is

1. An irrigating ditch controller comprising a stake, and a plate of approximately circular form pivotally connected at a middle point tothe stake and having an opening at one side of its center, said plate being adapted to be turned to bring more or less of the opening below a line passing horizontally through the pivotal connection of the late with the stake to completely shut o the water or to admit of any required amount of water passing through the ditch by the controller.

2. An irrigating ditch controller comprising a pointed stake having a longitudinal, slot and a plate inserted in the slot and pivotally connected at a central point with the stake, said 'plate having an approximately semicircular opening at one side of its center.

3. An irrigating ditch controller comprising a stake, a circular plate pivoted at a central point to the stake and having its outer edge sharpened and provided at one side of its center with an'opening of approximately semicircular form whereby the turning of the plate upon the stake brings more or less of the opening below a line passing horizontally through the center of the plate to shut ofl the water in the ditch or to admit of any required amount of water passing by the controller.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

ASHER BEAL.

Witnesses GEORGE CAssELL, GEORGE CLINE.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents,

Washington D. G. 

